Looking for a quality rest for load development. I confess, I dont consider myself steady enough to still go to a sandbag anymore so looking to get a mechanical rest. The Lead Sleds have a bit of a reputation for beating up scopes pretty badly.

Sort of looking at the Caldwell Precision Turret, looks like a fantastically stable, easily adjustable rest that allows for a normal recoil pulse to keep from tearing up scopes.

Just curious if anyone has experience?

2Jokerswild,

I have one and it is well made, sturdy and great for bench-rest work. Only thing I would like different would be more adjustment up & down on the lower pistol grip platform. Good luck with it if you get one.......

Amazon listed this at 10.6 lbs, not bad. The pistol grip platform is also removable which is another plus.

If you are going to go that route, why not a whole sled to set the gun in?

I have one like this for home range shooting...
My step some always brings his rifles over to sight them in using it.




*** I don't know why it does that, breaks the picture, but link to product still works..
Here's what it should look like. Has dual tubes, so that if you are shooting a rifle with a Magazine, it goes between the tubes and doesn't hit it, like the older Single tube model. Also, I read the comment about beating up scopes...  Not sure what calibers they are shooting, but we've shot many calibers from .22 to .300 Win Mag and never had issues...  I mostly shoot 5.56, .308 and step sons 6.5..

I see a lot of guys using that rest and the lead sleds.  I have that rest on my wish list.  I prefer the ease of use of a good bipod, but can see the advantage of having a more solid rest.

I thought I wanted a sled, but it is just too big of a bitch to deal with, considering all of the rest of the shit I haul to the range.

I will admit that, it great to use, but a bit heavy to lug around much..  

The lead sled reputation for beating up scopes, this looks like it should allow for a more natural recoil.

Caldwell's Rock BR will be more stable and adjustable.

https://www.caldwellshooting.com/rests/shooting-rests/rock-br-competition-front-shooting-rest/440907.html#start=1

It is a heavy extremely adjustable front rest.  You will need a separate rear bag.  I prefer the rabbit ear style rear bag.

The Rock BR can be improved by replacing the spindle ball bearings with inexpensive needle bearing cage and thrust washers for only about $10 with parts through Amazon.

I have a Rock deluxe with a replacement leather bag but have digressed to using a bipod 95% of the time.